Winston Hoehner
For 25 years, Hoehner had a glorious career as the first News Director for WHIO Radio, but died just a week after his colleagues helped him celebrate his quarter century mark at the station.
In 2005, he was inducted into the Ohio Associated Press Broadcast Journalism Hall Of Fame and cited by the AP for the many awards his department won over his 14 years as News Director. Hoehner was one the only journalists to interview Iranians after they stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979.
Winston was a member of the charter commission that formed the City of Bellbrook and Past President of Lutheran Social Services and the Zion Lutheran Church. Throughout his career, Hoehner was very active in numerous community events and parades.
Kathy O'Connor Bow
O’Connor is one of the first female broadcast news reporter in Dayton, Ohio. She began her career when it was unheard of for a woman to be in the broadcasting field. While in the Miami Valley, O’Connor developed her craft at both WING Radio and WDTN-
Kathy not only pushed ahead to achieve much success, she mentored other women, encouraging them and supporting their goals. Being first is always a challenge, but O’Connor had the courage to begin on a path that would be traveled by many women for years to come.
Retha Phillips
.
Determined to have a career she loved, Phillips had to leave her home and go to the U.S. Virgin Islands just to work. She worked in St. Croix and St. Thomas as a DJ
Upon her return to the Dayton area, she worked briefly for WPTD channel 16 and then joined WING in 1971 as a beat reporter. Along with Kathy O’Connor, Retha was one of the first female beat reporters in Dayton. In 1975 she joined WDTN Channel 2 as a part time reporter while still on WING full time. Working for both stations, WING for 9 years and WDTN for 13, this was the career that she loved most… news writing and reporting. Her talents were then seen daily when she became the lead reporter for WDTN-
After her career in front of the camera, Retha became the owner of BBP Communications, a video production company. One of her biggest contributions was her vision to create the Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall Of Fame. Her community work is well documented with such organizations as: Mercy Manor, Miami Valley Crime Stoppers, Central State University, and more.
Charlie Reeder
Reeder was born in 1912 and graduated from Steele High School. In the 1940’s, he married and worked at WING Radio, where he and Jack Wymer hosted the popular show, “Sunny Side Up.” Soon after, he became Station Manager and hired soon to be famed comedian Jonathan Winters as the station’s morning show host.
After WING, Reeder moved on to WHIO-
Clay "The Cooker" Collins
Clay came to Dayton from Chicago in 1968 as a Radio News Reporter for WAVI/WDAO and advanced to the station’s Program and Community Relations Director.
His infinite knowledge of jazz music gave birth to his own weekly program “Jazzsistically Speaking”, which aired on WAVI/WDAO from 1969-
Collins has been involved in the community with numerous organizations including the Westmont Optimist Club (since 1970), The Roosevelt Memorial Track Meet and the Sickle Cell Anemia fund drive.
He is currently an account executive and jazz program host for Clear Channel Radio in Dayton.
Kim Faris
Kim began her broadcasting career in 1978, working for WJAI Radio (now WGTZ, Z-
Throughout her career, she has worked every radio shift in the broadcast day, but her favorite was working alongside legendary Dayton morning show host, Steve Kirk.
She was also part of the popular “Wicker In The Morning Show” with Jeff Wicker and would spend the next 14 years co-
Kim has volunteered her time with countless organizations, including: We Care Arts, Project READ, The American Heart Association, The Muscular Dystrophy Association, Women’s Wellness Fund and the Noble Circle Project, just to name a few.
Bill Nance
Pick a department in a radio station…and Bill’s worked in it.
He’s been an on-
Currently, Bill is Program Director and morning show host for WFCJ Radio in Miamisburg.
Throughout his career, he has devoted thousands of hours supporting community initiatives including: The Salvation Army, Dayton Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, the Dayton Gospel Mission, The American Cancer Society and Junior Achievement. He has helped plan and emceed the Top Flight Teen competition for 16 years.
Ricky Smith
Ricky began his broadcasting career at WDAO Radio in the late 1960’s as a DJ and program host. He was known throughout the Miami Valley as the man with the “distinctively deep” radio voice.
He spent the majority of his career at WHIO-
Ricky was one of the leaders of the youth programs for Omega Baptist Church and was active as a local mason. He passed away unexpectedly in 2006.
Dr. David and Doris Ponitz
Friend of the Media
Bi-
Dr. David Ponitz is the former President of Sinclair Community College and Doris Ponitz is an active community leader.
Dr. and Mrs. Ponitz have been consummate community trailblazers, always lending their name, talents and time volunteering with every critical Miami Valley initiative.
The Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame salutes Dr. David and Doris Ponitz as our 2007 Friend(s) Of The Media and thanks them for their tireless contributions to the Miami Valley.
